Dosage tracking apparatus, dosage tracking system, and related methods of use

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for tracking an amount of dispensed fluid, a system for fluid injection including the apparatus, and related methods of use are described. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a dosage meter shaped to couple with a leadscrew and a cartridge containing a fluid for injection, and configured to track fluid injection. In an embodiment, the dosage meter includes an index wheel including a plurality of teeth, wherein the index wheel is shaped to position coaxially with a major axis of the leadscrew and to receive rotational motion from the leadscrew; and a cantilevered protrusion positioned to deflect due to contact with the plurality of teeth as the index wheel rotates coaxially with the leadscrew inducing a strain in the cantilevered protrusion, wherein the dosage meter outputs a signal indicative of the strain.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/298,597, filed Mar. 11, 2019, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/661,963, filedApr. 24, 2018, now expired, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/743,102, filed Oct. 9, 2018, now expired, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to an apparatus for tracking fluid injection,and in particular but not exclusively, relates to an apparatus fortracking an amount of dispensed fluid.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A fluid injection system is a device, such as a drug injection pen, forinjecting into a subject a quantity of fluid, such as a medication. Inthe treatment of many diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, it is usefulto track quantities of medications injected and corresponding times ofinjection. However, many conventional drug injection pens are notcapable of automatically and accurately tracking injection events,quantities of medications injected, or dates and times of injectionevents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the invention aredescribed with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified. Not all instances of an element arenecessarily labeled so as not to clutter the drawings where appropriate.The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placedupon illustrating the principles being described.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus, in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates an exploded isometric view of the apparatus of FIG.1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate cross-sectional views of an apparatus, inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 2C and 2D illustrate other cross-sectional views of the apparatusof FIGS. 2A and 2B, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2E illustrates an exploded isometric view of the apparatus of FIGS.2A and 2B, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2F illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus ofFIGS. 2A and 2B, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2G illustrates a circuit board of the apparatus of FIGS. 2A and 2B,in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a method of measuring a quantityof fluid dispensed from an apparatus, in accordance with an embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a system, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of a system, apparatus, and method for dosage tracking offluid injection are described herein. In the following descriptionnumerous specific details are set forth to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art willrecognize, however, that the techniques described herein can bepracticed without one or more of the specific details, or with othermethods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-knownstructures, materials, or operations are not shown or described indetail to avoid obscuring certain aspects.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, theappearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” invarious places throughout this specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments.

Measuring a quantity of administered drug and recording the timing of adrug's administration are integral parts of many disease treatments. Formany treatments, to achieve a desired therapeutic effect, specificquantities of a drug may be injected at specific times of day. Forexample, individuals suffering from diabetes mellitus may injectthemselves with insulin regularly throughout the day in response tomeasurements of their blood glucose. The frequency and volume of insulininjections should be carefully tracked and controlled to keep thepatient's blood glucose level within a healthy range.

Currently, there are a limited number of methods and/or devices capableof tracking drug administration that do not require a user to manuallymeasure and record the volume, date, and time of injection. For example,a variety of glucose injection syringes/pens have been developed, butthere is significant room for advancement in tracking injection volume,date, and time. Thus, the current technology may not be an ideallong-term solution. Embodiments of the apparatuses and systems describedherein are well suited for accurately tracking dispensed dosages of adrug.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus 100, inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 1B illustrates anexploded isometric view of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A, in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure. The apparatus 100 is shown toinclude dosage meter 104 and leadscrew extender 120. Dosage meter 104includes an index wheel 122 including a plurality of teeth 138 extendingradially from a major axis 160 of index wheel 122, a cantileveredprotrusion 142 positioned to deflect due to contact with the pluralityof teeth 138, and a bracket 136 shaped and positioned to place thecantilevered protrusion 142 in contact with one of the plurality ofteeth 138. In the illustrated embodiment, the cantilevered protrusion142 is disposed on a circuit board 124 and dosage meter 104 includes apower source 126, shown here as a coin cell battery, coupled to thecircuit board 124 and providing power thereto.

As above, cantilevered protrusion 142 is shaped and positioned todeflect radially from a major axis 160 of index wheel 122 as index wheel122 rotates and a number of the plurality of teeth 138 make contact withthe cantilevered protrusion 142. See also FIGS. 2C and 2D. In thisregard, a strain is induced in cantilevered protrusion 142 as indexwheel 122 rotates. As discussed further herein with respect to FIGS.2A-2G, dosage meter 104 outputs a signal indicative of the strain, suchas from a strain sensor 154 positioned on circuit board 124 disposedadjacent to or on cantilevered protrusion 142. As discussed furtherherein with respect to FIGS. 2A-2G and FIG. 4, apparatus 100 isconfigured to track amounts of a dispensed fluid such as by tracking thesignals output from the dosage meter 104.

As shown, bracket 136 is shaped to receive circuit board 124 and powersource 126 such that as index wheel 122 rotates bracket 136 andcantilevered protrusion 142 remain static relative to such rotationalmotion. However, it will be understood that components including, forexample, bracket 136 and cantilevered protrusion 142 can rotate relativeto index wheel 122 and other components in accordance with otherembodiments of the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, bracket136 further includes a columnar portion 166 shaped to coaxially androtatably receive a corresponding columnar portion 162 of index wheel122. Index wheel 122 rotates as fluid is dispensed from the apparatus100 due to rotation of the leadscrew (not shown, see for example FIG.2E). As discussed further herein with respect to FIGS. 2A-2G,cantilevered protrusion 142 deflects due to contact with the pluralityof teeth 138.

In certain embodiments, apparatus 100 is suitable to couple with anexisting fluid injection system, such as an insulin injection pen. In anembodiment, apparatus 100 including dosage meter 104 and leadscrewextender 120 is shaped to couple with a fluid injector (not shown, seeFIG. 2E) and a housing (not shown, see also FIG. 2E) from an existingfluid injection system, such as an existing insulin injection pen, that,for example, does not include a dosage meter. In this regard, apparatus100 is shaped to be integrated into a fluid injection system as anafter-market dosage-tracking apparatus to track, for example, injectionevents, injection volumes, injection times, and the like. Accordingly,in an embodiment, apparatus 100 is shaped to couple with and countinjection events from an existing fluid injection system. By couplingapparatus 100 with an existing fluid injection system, a user mayautomatically track injection events, injection times, and calculatequantities of fluid injected with the modified fluid injection systemincluding apparatus 100 coupled thereto without manually tracking anysuch injection metrics.

In an embodiment, dosage meter 104 is shaped to couple with a leadscrewand a cartridge containing a fluid for injection (not shown, see FIGS.2A and 2B). In this regard, index wheel 122 is shaped to positioncoaxially with a major axis of a leadscrew, such as a leadscrew of thefluid injection system, and to receive rotational motion from theleadscrew. As shown, index wheel 122 includes tabs 150 shaped to extendinto and couple with leadscrew extender grooves 168. As discussedfurther herein, tabs 150 are further shaped to extend into and couplewith grooves on a leadscrew (not shown, see FIG. 2E). In this regard, asthe leadscrew rotates about a leadscrew major axis the rotational motionof the leadscrew is received by the index wheel 122 and the index wheel122 rotates about its own major axis 160. Additionally, as discussedfurther herein with respect to FIGS. 2C and 2D, leadscrew extender 120is shaped to transfer the rotational motion of the leadscrew to theindex wheel 122. As above, cantilevered protrusion 142 does not receivethe rotational motion of the leadscrew and remains static with respectto the rotational motion.

As above, in an embodiment, the apparatus 100 further includes leadscrewextender 120. Leadscrew extender 120 is shaped as an extension of aleadscrew to accommodate for additional length of dosage meter 104 andto receive rotational and translational motion of the leadscrew. In thisregard, leadscrew extender 120 is shaped to receive motion of theleadscrew along the major axis of the leadscrew. Accordingly, anexisting fluid injection system modified to include apparatus 100including dosage meter 104 and leadscrew extender 120 both dispensesfluid from the fluid injection system and tracks injection events.Further, the leadscrew extender 120 ensures that more or all of thefluid in a cartridge of the fluid injection system is dispensed withapparatus installed. Without the leadscrew extender 120, a fluidinjection system modified to include apparatus 100 may not dispense allof the fluid if, for example, the leadscrew is not long enough by itselfto displace a plunger head to a far end of a cartridge.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate cross-sectional views of an apparatus 200, inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment, theapparatus 200 is the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. Apparatus 200 includeshousing 202, dosage meter 204, and fluid injector 206. Housing 202includes needle 208, shown here disposed in a portion of skin 234, andcavity 212 shaped to accept cartridge 230. Cartridge 230 includesplunger head 228 and contains fluid 232. Needle 208 is shown coupled tocartridge 230 and in fluidic communication with fluid 232, such as amedication. In this regard, and as discussed further herein, as fluidinjector 206 translates linearly and depresses plunger head 228, fluid232 is dispensed from cartridge 230 through needle 208.

Housing 202 is coupled to fluid injector 206 to dispense fluid 232.Fluid injector 206 includes fluid injector housing 218, leadscrew 214disposed in fluid injector housing 218 and having major axis 258, andfluid delivery control wheel 216 to select an amount of fluid 232dispensed.

Dosage meter 204 includes dosage meter housing 244 (see FIGS. 2A and2B), index wheel 222 disposed within dosage meter 204 housing, bracket236, cantilevered protrusion 242 shown here as part of circuit board224, power source 226 operably coupled to circuit board 224, andleadscrew extender 220. In the illustrated embodiment, leadscrewextender 220 is positioned to be in contact at a first end of theleadscrew extender 220 with a portion of the cartridge 230 (here plungerhead 228) and at a second end of the leadscrew extender 220 with an endof the leadscrew 214. As discussed further herein, leadscrew extender220 couples linear motion between the leadscrew 214 and cartridge 230and rotational motion between the fluid injector 206 and dosage meter204. In this regard, leadscrew extender 220 translates linear motion ofleadscrew 214 to dispense fluid 232, which is received by housing 202 todispense fluid 232. Additionally, as discussed further herein withrespect to FIGS. 2C and 2D, leadscrew extender 220 translates rotationalmotion of leadscrew 214 to track injection events in conjunction withdosage meter 204.

FIG. 2A illustrates apparatus 200 in a first configuration, for example,prior to rotation and translation of leadscrew 214 about and along itsmajor axis 258. In this regard, plunger head 228 is in a first positionnear the rear of the cartridge 230. FIG. 2B illustrates leadscrew 214rotating about major axis 258 and translating linearly along major axis258, thereby depressing plunger head 228 from the rear of cartridge 230and dispensing fluid 232 from cartridge 230. As plunger head 228 movesfrom the rear of the cartridge 230 to the front of the cartridge 230,fluid 232 is dispensed from the cartridge and through needle 208.

FIGS. 2C and 2D illustrate other cross-sectional views of the apparatus200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. As above, apparatus 200 includes dosage meter 204 to measurean amount of fluid dispensed by apparatus 200. In the illustratedembodiment, the index wheel 222 has a major axis 260 and is positionedcoaxially with major axis 258 of the leadscrew 214. Index wheel 222 iscoupled to fluid injector 206, shown here coupled to the leadscrew 214,to rotate coaxially with the leadscrew 214 when the apparatus 200dispenses the fluid from the cartridge 230. As shown, index wheel 222includes tabs 250 shaped to extend into and couple with leadscrewgrooves 248. In this regard, as leadscrew 214 rotates about leadscrewmajor axis 258 the rotational motion of the leadscrew 214 is received bythe index wheel 222 and the index wheel 222 rotates about its own majoraxis 260, shown here coaxial with major axis 258. In an embodiment, aninterior of a columnar portion 262 of the index wheel 222 including tabs250 extends into and couples with the leadscrew 214 to receive therotational motion. (See FIG. 2E).

As shown, index wheel 222 does not, however, couple with leadscrewthreads 246 (see FIGS. 2E and 2F). In this regard, index wheel 222receives the rotational motion of leadscrew 214, but does not receivethe linear translation of leadscrew 214. Accordingly, as leadscrew 214rotates about and translates along major axis 258, index wheel 222rotates with, but does not translate with, leadscrew 214. In thisregard, index wheel 222 is shaped to track injection events withouttranslating along major axis 258.

Index wheel 222 includes a plurality of teeth 238 extending radiallyfrom major axis 260 of index wheel 222. Cantilevered protrusion 242 ispositioned to deflect due to contact with the plurality of teeth 238 asthe index wheel 222 rotates coaxially with the leadscrew 214. Bracket236 is shaped to place the cantilevered protrusion 242 in contact withthe plurality of teeth 238. Additionally, bracket 236 includes acolumnar portion 266 (See FIG. 2E) positioned coaxially with the majoraxis 258 of the leadscrew 214 and positioned to accept a portion of theleadscrew 214. However, unlike the index wheel 222, the bracket 236 doesnot receive the rotational motion of the leadscrew 214. Accordingly, inthis regard, as the index wheel 222 rotates about its major axis 260,the cantilevered protrusion 242 is stationary relative the rotationalmotion of the index wheel 222. Thus, as the leadscrew 214 rotates, theplurality of teeth 238 pass over the cantilevered protrusion 242repeatedly deflecting the cantilevered protrusion 242 radially frommajor axis 260 of index wheel 222. As discussed further herein, suchrepeated deflection induces repeated strain in the cantileveredprotrusion 242, which outputs signals indicative of the strain that canbe correlated to an injection event and, in certain embodiments, aninjection volume.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the plurality of teeth 238 has awave-like cross section including a gradual increase in tooth heightrelative to major axis 260 followed by a precipitous decrease in toothheight. In this regard, as index wheel 222 rotates about its major axis260, cantilevered protrusion 242 gradually deflects as it travels overthe gradual increase followed by a precipitous return to an initialposition as the cantilevered protrusion 242 passes over the precipitousdecrease. Such a rapid change in deflection generates an easily measuredsignal indicative of strain of the cantilevered protrusion 242. However,as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, a cross section ofthe plurality of teeth 238 can assume other configurations and haveother cross sectional shapes, such as triangular, undulating,trapezoidal, and the like, suitable to deflect cantilevered protrusion242, induce a strain therein, and generate a detectable signalindicative of the strain.

FIG. 2C illustrates dosage meter 204 in a first position in whichcantilevered protrusion 242 is in contact with one of the plurality ofteeth 238 such that the cantilevered protrusion 242 is not deflected.FIG. 2D illustrates dosage meter 204 in which index wheel 222 is rotatedcoaxially with leadscrew 214 from the first position to a secondposition in which cantilevered protrusion 242 is in a contact with aportion of one of the plurality of teeth 238 that extends radiallyfarther from major axis 260 than in the first position. Accordingly, inthe illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2D, the cantilevered protrusion 242deflects radially from the major axis 258 of the index wheel 222. Inthis regard, cantilevered protrusion 242 is deflected due to contactwith the plurality of teeth 238 as the index wheel 222 rotates coaxiallywith the leadscrew 214 inducing a strain in the cantilevered protrusion242. As discussed further herein with respect to FIG. 2G, cantileveredprotrusion 242 outputs a signal indicative of the strain, which in turnis correlated to an injection event of the apparatus 200.

FIG. 2F illustrates a portion of the apparatus 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B,in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The illustratedembodiment shows a portion of dosage meter 204, including bracket 236,circuit board 224 including cantilevered protrusion 242, index wheel222, and power source 226, as well as leadscrew 214. As shown, indexwheel 222 and circuit board 224 are positioned by bracket 236 to placethe plurality of teeth 238 in contact with cantilevered protrusion 242.Additionally, circuit board 224 and power source 226 are positioned inbracket 236 to operably couple power source 226 to circuit board 224.Major axes 258 and 260 are coaxial and leadscrew 214 is coupled withindex wheel 222. In this regard, index wheel 222 is positioned toreceive rotational motion from leadscrew 214. Further, as leadscrew 214rotates cantilevered protrusion 242 is deflected.

As above, dosage meter 204 is shaped to couple to housing 202 at a firstend and couple to fluid injector 206 at a second end. See, for example,FIGS. 2A and 2B. In this regard, dosage meter 204 registers rotation ofleadscrew 214 during an injection event. This is in contrast to a dosagemeter shaped to directly register rotation of, for example, a fluiddelivery control wheel, such as fluid delivery control wheel 216. Asabove, fluid delivery control wheel 216 is shaped to select an amount offluid dispensed. Often when a user is rotating a fluid delivery controlwheel, for example, to select the amount of fluid delivered the userwill initially select an amount that is too great by rotating the fluiddelivery wheel past a correct volume indication. The user may thenrotate the fluid delivery wheel back to a correct volume. Dosage metersdirectly coupled to fluid delivery control wheels may not have a way toaccount for a user's over-rotation of the fluid delivery control wheel.In this regard, such a dosage meter may incorrectly register a quantityof dispensed fluid that is greater than the amount of fluid actuallyinjected. In an embodiment, leadscrew 214 only rotates during aninjection event and not, for example, when a user selects an injectionamount with fluid delivery control wheel 216. In this regard, dosagemeter 204 registers injection events and corresponding injection volumesrather than injection volumes initially selected by user that are notultimately injected.

FIG. 2G illustrates a circuit board 224 of the apparatus 200 of FIGS. 2Aand 2B, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Circuitboard 224, disposed in dosage meter 204, includes cantileveredprotrusion 242, ball 252, strain sensor 254, and controller 256. In theillustrated embodiment, circuit board 224 includes cantileveredprotrusion 242 as a cutout of the circuit board 224. Circuit board 224further includes strain sensor 254, shown here disposed on a portion ofthe cantilevered protrusion 242. In this regard, the strain sensor 254is positioned to output a signal indicative of a strain of thecantilevered protrusion 242, such as when the cantilevered protrusion242 is in contact with and deflected by the plurality of teeth 238, asdiscussed further herein with respect to FIGS. 2C and 2D.

In an embodiment, the strain sensor 254 is selected from the groupconsisting of a capacitive strain sensor, a piezoelectric strain sensor,and a resistive strain sensor.

As shown, circuit board 224 further includes ball 252 disposed on aportion of cantilevered protrusion 242. When, for example, bracket 236positions circuit board 224 in contact with the plurality of teeth 238,ball 252 is positioned to directly contact the plurality of teeth 238.In an embodiment, ball 252 provides a smooth, hard surface on which theplurality of teeth 238 contacts the cantilevered protrusion 242. In theillustrated embodiment, ball 252 is shown as a hemispherical ball;however, it is understood that other shapes and configurations suitableto move over the plurality of teeth 238 are included in the describedembodiments, thus providing a reliable, easily detected signalindicative of cantilevered protrusion 242 deflection.

As above, circuit board 224 includes controller 256. In an embodiment,controller 256 is operatively coupled to strain sensor 254. In thisregard, controller 256 is configured to register and track signalsoutput by strain sensor 254 indicative of strain on cantileveredprotrusion 242. Further, in an embodiment, controller 256 is operativelycoupled to dosage meter 204. Such coupling can include direct coupling,such as through a wire, conductive trace, and the like. Likewise, suchcoupling can be wireless, such as through Bluetooth, RFID, or otherwireless communications technologies.

As above, controller 256 can include logic. In an embodiment, controller256 includes logic that when executed by controller 256 causes apparatus200 to record the electrical signals indicative of the fluid dispensedinto a dispensing log. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat the controller 256 including tangible machine-readable storagemedium may be static (e.g., have logic in hardware), or dynamic (e.g.,have programmable memory that can receive updates). In an embodiment,the logic includes logic that when executed by the controller 256 causesthe apparatus 200 to perform operations including: tracking the signaloutput from the dosage meter 204. As discussed further herein withrespect to FIGS. 2C and 2D, such signal output can be indicative ofstrain on cantilevered protrusion 242 and output from, for example,strain sensor 254. Further, in an embodiment, controller 256 includeslogic that when executed by the controller 256 causes the apparatus 200to perform operations including: registering the signal as an injectionevent of the fluid 232; and calculating a number of injection events ofthe fluid 232. In this regard, the logic may be configured to determinea number of instances of strain on cantilevered protrusion 242 todetermine a number of injection events, as discussed further herein withrespect to method 300 and FIG. 3.

As shown in, for example, FIGS. 2C and 2D, the plurality of teeth 238are approximately evenly spaced and are approximately equidistant frommajor axis 260. In this regard, as leadscrew 214 rotates about majoraxis 258 and translates along major axis 258, each signal outputindicative of strain on cantilevered protrusion 242 corresponds to an atleast approximately equal volume of fluid dispensed. In this regard,each signal indicative of an injection event can be correlated with aninjection volume. Accordingly, in an embodiment, controller 256 furtherincludes logic that when executed by the controller 256 causes theapparatus 200 to perform operations including: calculating a quantity ofthe fluid 232 dispensed based, at least in part, on the number ofinjection events.

Circuit board 224 including controller 256 is operably coupled to apower source 226, such as a battery. As shown in, for example, FIGS. 2Cand 2D, bracket 236 is shaped to accept both circuit board 224 and powersource 226. Additionally, bracket 236 is shaped to operably couplecircuit board 224 and power source 226. Circuit board 224 furtherincludes a transceiver 264 (See FIG. 2G) coupled to the controller 256to send and receive data, such as data including a number of injectionevents and/or a quantity of fluid 232 dispensed. In an embodiment,controller 256 further includes logic that when executed by thecontroller 256 causes the apparatus 200 to perform operations including:instructing the transceiver 264 to send the data to an external device(not shown, see FIG. 4), such as a smartphone, tablet, general purposecomputer, distributed system, servers connected to the internet, or thelike, wherein the data includes information indicative of the number ofinjection events.

FIG. 4 illustrates system 400, shown here as a fluid injection system400, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Fluid injectionsystem 400 includes an apparatus 401 and processing device 410 (e.g., aportable computing device, a smart phone, etc.). Apparatus 401 includeshousing 402, a dosage meter 404, and a fluid injector 406. In anembodiment, apparatus 401 is an example of apparatuses 100 and/or 200.

Housing 402 is shaped to accept a cartridge 430 containing a fluid, suchas a medication. In the illustrated embodiment, housing 402 includescavity 412 shaped to accept cartridge 430 and needle 408 positioned tobe in fluidic contact with fluid disposed in cartridge 430 whencartridge 430 is disposed in housing 402. In one embodiment, cartridge430 may be disposed in an insert which screws/snaps onto or into thebulk of housing 402. However, as one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate, apparatus 401 can assume other configurations and have othercomponents.

Cartridge 430 includes plunger head 428. In the depicted embodiment,plunger head 428 starts near a rear portion of cartridge 430 and ispushed forward in cartridge 430 by the fluid injector 406. (See alsoFIGS. 2A and 2B). This forces medication/fluid out of the narrow end ofcartridge 430 and through needle 408 when a fluid is dispensed.

A dosage meter 404 is also disposed in the apparatus 401 to track therotational motion of the fluid injector 406. In the illustratedembodiment, dosage meter 404 is shown coupled on a first side to fluidinjector 406 and on a second side to housing 402. As described furtherherein with respect to FIGS. 2A-2G, the dosage meter 404 encodes therotational motion of the fluid injector 406 to track the amount of fluiddispensed and further outputs a signal indicative of the rotation orfluid dispensed.

As shown, controller 456 including circuitry is also disposed inapparatus 401, as part of the dosage meter 404. It is appreciated thatthis circuitry, which described further herein with respect to FIG. 2G,may be disposed anywhere in apparatus 401 (e.g., in housing 402 or fluidinjector 406), and in some instances, logic may be distributed acrossmultiple devices.

Processing device 410 (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, general purposecomputer, distributed system, servers connected to the internet, or thelike) may be coupled to receive signal output from apparatus 401 tostore/analyze this data. For instance, in the depicted embodiment,processing device 410 is a smartphone, and the smartphone has anapplication running recording how much insulin has been dispensed fromapparatus 401. In the illustrated embodiment, the application plots howmuch insulin has been injected by the user over a historical period oftime (e.g., day, week, month, or the like). In this embodiment, a powersource (not shown, see for example FIG. 2A) is electrically coupled tothe controller 456 in apparatus 401, and a transceiver (not shown, seefor example FIG. 2G) is electrically coupled to the controller 456 tosend and receive data to/from processing device 410. Here, data includesinformation indicative of a quantity of the fluid dispensed. Thetransceiver may include Bluetooth, RFID, or other wirelesscommunications technologies.

A method of measuring a quantity of fluid dispensed from an apparatus,such as, for example, apparatuses 100 and 200 or a system 400 comprisingapparatus 401, will now be described. In this regard, attention isdirected to FIG. 3, which is a schematic illustration of a method 300 ofmeasuring a quantity of fluid dispensed from an apparatus, in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of the present disclosure will appreciate that theblocks of method 300 may occur in any order and even in parallel.Additionally, blocks may be added to, or removed from, method 300 inaccordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

The method may begin with block 301, which includes rotating a leadscrewof the apparatus along with an index wheel of the apparatus about amajor axis of the leadscrew. In this regard, a fluid is dispensed fromthe apparatus, as discussed further herein with respect to FIGS. 2A and2B. In some embodiments method 300 may further include a user actuatinga fluid injection button disposed on a proximal end of the apparatus,opposite a dispensing end to initiate rotating the leadscrew and indexwheel. In such an embodiment, the leadscrew is rotated and fluid isdispensed from the apparatus in response to the user actuating thebutton.

Block 301 may be followed by block 303, which may include inducing astrain in a cantilevered protrusion disposed to engage the index wheelas the index wheel rotates. It will be appreciated that, in the depictedembodiment, inducing the strain occurs at the same time as rotating theleadscrew and the index wheel. As discussed further herein with respectto FIGS. 2C and 2D, in an embodiment, the index wheel includes aplurality of teeth positioned to contact the cantilevered protrusion. Asthe index wheel rotates, one or more of the plurality of teeth deflectthe cantilevered protrusion radially from a major axis of the indexwheel thereby inducing the strain. In an embodiment, the major axis ofthe index wheel is coaxial with the major axis of the leadscrew aboutwhich each rotates, as discussed further herein with respect to FIGS. 2Cand 2D.

Block 303 may be followed by block 305, which may include generating asignal indicative of the strain in a cantilevered protrusion. In anembodiment, generating the signal includes deflecting the cantileveredprotrusion with a tooth extending radially from a major axis of theindex wheel, wherein the cantilevered protrusion deflects radially fromthe major axis of the index wheel in response to the tooth pressingagainst the cantilevered protrusion; and generating with a strain sensordisposed on the cantilevered protrusion and coupled to a controller thesignal. As discussed further herein with respect to FIG. 2G, in anembodiment, the strain sensor is disposed on the cantileveredprotrusion. In some embodiments, the signal output from the strainsensor may be amplified with amplifiers coupled between the strainsensors and the controller.

Block 305 may be followed by block 307, which may include tracking thesignal indicative of the strain. In an embodiment, tracking the signalindicative of the strain includes storing the signal in memory disposedin the apparatus using a controller coupled to receive the signal.

Block 307 may be followed by block 309, which may include calculating aquantity of the fluid dispensed. In an embodiment, calculating aquantity of the fluid dispensed is based, at least in part, on thesignal recorded. As discussed further herein with respect to FIGS. 2Cand 2D, by registering the signal as an injection event of the fluid,calculating a number of injection events, and correlating an injectionevent to a volume of fluid injected, the quantity of fluid can becalculated based, in part, on the signal recorded. In an embodiment,block 309 is optional.

Blocks 307 and/or 309 may be followed by block 311, which may includetransmitting data representative of the signal to a processing devicethat is distinct from the apparatus, wherein the processing devicecalculates the quantity of fluid dispensed. As discussed further hereinwith respect to FIG. 4, the data representative of the signal may betransmitted to a device distinct from the apparatus such as asmartphone, tablet, general purpose computer, distributed system,servers connected to the internet, or the like. In this regard, a usercan, for example, track quantities of dispensed fluid and associatedinjection times over a period of time, such as a day, week, month, etc.By displaying or otherwise representing aggregated quantities ofdispensed fluid with or according to corresponding fluid injection timesa user may be able to more easily track quantities, times, and/or datesof dispensed fluid. In an embodiment, block 311 is optional.

In an embodiment, Block 307 is followed by block 311. In this regard,the signal representative of the strain may be transmitted to a devicedistinct from the apparatus and, for example, calculating a quantity ofthe fluid dispensed based, at least in part, on the signal recorded maybe performed on the device distinct from the apparatus, rather than onthe apparatus itself.

The processes explained above are described in terms of computersoftware and hardware. The techniques described may constitutemachine-executable instructions embodied within a tangible ornon-transitory machine (e.g., computer) readable storage medium, thatwhen executed by a machine will cause the machine to perform theoperations described. Additionally, the processes may be embodied withinhardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) orotherwise.

A tangible machine-readable storage medium includes any mechanism thatprovides (i.e., stores) information in a non-transitory form accessibleby a machine (e.g., a computer, network device, personal digitalassistant, manufacturing tool, any device with a set of one or moreprocessors, etc.). For example, a machine-readable storage mediumincludes recordable/non-recordable media (e.g., read only memory (ROM),random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storagemedia, flash memory devices, etc.).

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the invention,including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention aredescribed herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications arepossible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in therelevant art will recognize.

These modifications can be made to the invention in light of the abovedetailed description. The terms used in the following claims should notbe construed to limit the invention to the specific embodimentsdisclosed in the specification. Rather, the scope of the invention is tobe determined entirely by the following claims, which are to beconstrued in accordance with established doctrines of claiminterpretation.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for measuring an amount of adispensed fluid, the apparatus comprising: a dosage meter shaped tocouple with a leadscrew and a cartridge containing a fluid forinjection, the dosage meter comprising: an index wheel including aplurality of teeth, wherein the index wheel is shaped to positioncoaxially with a major axis of the leadscrew and to receive rotationalmotion from the leadscrew; and a cantilevered protrusion positioned todeflect due to contact with the plurality of teeth as the index wheelrotates coaxially with the leadscrew; and a leadscrew extenderpositioned to be in contact at a first end of the leadscrew extenderwith a portion of the cartridge and at a second end of the leadscrewextender with an end of the leadscrew.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the leadscrew extender is shaped to receive motion of theleadscrew along the major axis of the leadscrew.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the leadscrew extender is shaped to transfer therotational motion of the leadscrew to the index wheel.
 4. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the plurality of teeth extend radially from a majoraxis of the index wheel.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein thecantilevered protrusion is positioned to deflect radially from the majoraxis of the index wheel.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dosagemeter includes a strain sensor disposed on the cantilevered protrusionto generate a signal indicative of strain induced by deflection of thecantilevered protrusion.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the strainsensor is positioned on a circuit board.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the dosage meter includes a bracket shaped and positioned toplace the cantilevered protrusion in contact with one of the pluralityof teeth.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the bracket includes acolumnar portion shaped to receive a portion of the leadscrew and shapedto position the index wheel coaxially with the major axis of theleadscrew.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the bracket does notreceive the rotational motion, and wherein the cantilevered protrusionremains static relative to the rotational motion.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: a housing shaped to accept the cartridgecontaining the fluid; and a fluid injector including the leadscrew thatproduces rotational motion about the leadscrew major axis when theapparatus dispenses the fluid from the cartridge.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the dosage meter outputs a signal indicative ofdeflection of the cantilevered protrusion, the apparatus furthercomprising a controller operatively coupled to the dosage meter andincluding logic that when executed by the controller causes theapparatus to perform operations including: tracking the signal outputfrom the dosage meter.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein thecontroller further includes logic that when executed by the controllercauses the apparatus to perform operations including: registering thesignal as an injection event of the dispensed fluid; and calculating anumber of injection events of the fluid.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the controller further includes logic that when executed by thecontroller causes the apparatus to perform operations including:calculating a quantity of the fluid dispensed based on the signal. 15.The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a power source coupled tothe controller; and a transceiver coupled to the controller to send andreceive data, wherein the controller further includes logic that whenexecuted by the controller causes the apparatus to perform operationsincluding: instructing the transceiver to send the data to an externaldevice, wherein the data includes information indicative of the numberof injection events.
 16. A method of measuring a quantity of fluiddispensed from an apparatus comprising: rotating an index wheel of theapparatus about a major axis of a leadscrew coaxially received by theindex wheel as fluid is dispensed to deflect a cantilevered protrusiondisposed to engage the index wheel as the index wheel rotates;generating a signal indicative of the deflection of the cantileveredprotrusion; and tracking the signal indicative to determine the quantityof the fluid dispensed.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein generatingthe signal includes: deflecting the cantilevered protrusion with a toothextending radially from a major axis of the index wheel, wherein thecantilevered protrusion deflects radially from the major axis of theindex wheel in response to the tooth pressing against the cantileveredprotrusion; and generating with a strain sensor disposed on thecantilevered protrusion and coupled to a controller the signal.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, wherein tracking the signal includes storing thesignal in memory disposed in the apparatus using a controller coupled toreceive the signal.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprisingregistering the signal as an injection event of the fluid andcalculating a quantity of the fluid dispensed based on the signal. 20.The method of claim 19, further comprising transmitting data,representative of the signal, to a processing device that is distinctfrom the apparatus, wherein the processing device calculates thequantity of fluid dispensed.